Sanitary conditions in the camps were poor and a scabies outbreak was beginning to spread into the town of Calais, said the Governor of the Pas-de-Calais region, Denis Robin.

While many migrants had left the camps ahead of the eviction, some were seen leaving hurriedly carrying their blankets as the police moved in.

Image Caption:Bulldozers were brought in to destroy the tents

Representatives of the migrants were earlier said to be in talks as to whether or not they would accept an offer from the authorities to leave and be rehoused elsewhere in exchange of a promise not to arrest them.

They were offered the chance to shower, receive medical attention and have a change of clothes, shoes and bedding.

Only one migrant is so far reported to have accepted the offer - more than 200 are said to have moved into a food distribution centre.

They are believed to want to refuse alternative accommodation outside Calais because they want to get to Britain.